The M&M Connection 

Remember to put the big rocks in first!

One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive a point home, used an illustration those students will never forget. 

As he stood in front of the group of high-powered over achievers (Type-A’s), he said, “Okay, time for a quiz.” He then pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouth masonry jar and set it down on the table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one by one, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, “Is the jar full?” Everyone in the class said, “Yes.” Then he said, “Really?” He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar, causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the space between the big rocks. Then he asked the class once more, “Is the jar full?” 

By this time the class was on to him. “Probably not,” one of them answered. “Good”, he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and gravel. Once again he asked the question, “Is the jar full?” “NO, “ the class shouted. Once again, he said, “Good.” Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. 

Then the expert in time-management looked at the class and asked, “What is the point of this illustration?” One eager beaver raised his hand and said, “The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you really try hard you can always fit some more things in it.” “NO”, the speaker replied, “That’s not the point!” 

“The truth this illustration teaches us is this: If you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all. What are the big rocks in your life? Your spouse? Your children? Your loved ones? Your work? Your friendships? Your education? Your dreams? A worthy cause? Your health? Doing things you love to do? God? 

Remember to put your big rocks in first, or you’ll never get them in at all. If you concern yourself with the little stuff (i.e. Gravel, sand, etc.) then you will fill your life with little things and you will never have the real quality time you need to spend on the big, important stuff. Remember, it is you who decides what the BIG ROCKS are. 

So, what are your big rocks in life? They should be God, wife, children and work. Shouldn’t they? 

What about ministry? Work is ministry. If you have a job outside the church you need to know that your job is your ministry and your labor is worship. Your work is clearly one of the big rocks in your jar of life. It just can’t be the only one. 

If you can get your life in a proper and balanced order, you will find true success in all you do. Remember, true success is considered a ‘Favorable Outcome’. You need a favorable outcome in your work, marriage, children and your ministry.

Getting your big rocks in first will help accomplish this in your life. 

 Be blessed and be a blessing, 

Jack

Copyright 2005 Christian Counsel for Companies
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